ZoEd Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 After more than 22 years in the Air Force I've decided to hang it up. I applied for retirement back in January and found out Tuesday it was approved. Today, I received my orders and read the sweetest words I've ever read "On 31 August 2012 you will be released from active duty after serving 22 years, 9 months and 4 days. On 1 September 2012 you will be retired". Oh how sweet the sound! I was excited to come back to Civil Engineering after being a First Sergeant for three years but recently the AF and I have started drifted in opposite directions. It's bitter sweet, but it's time to close this book and open a new one as Mr. Huffman. :point2sky It's been a hell of a ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbo Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 You're a good guy, ZoEd, and I'm glad you were on our side. I have compete faith in your future success whatever road you take. Bittersweet isn't so bad.Some of my favorite things in life have had that character. Best wishes, amigo, and congrats on a long and hopefully rewarding tour of duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoEd Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks Jumbo, I really appreciate the kind words. My whole career I've heard "when its time, you'll know it". If you would have asked me 6 months ago I would have said hell no, I'm in till they chase me out the gate. But things change and for me they changed quickly. I'm at peace with my decision, the Air Force has been good to me and it's all I've ever known, but I'm very excited to put down some roots and give my family some stability. Don't know what I'm going to do for work right now but I'm confident I'll land on my feet. Thinking about going to school full time, sopping up that Post 9/11 GI Bill. Take a bit of a break from the chaos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 congrats Mr Huffman, and thanks for the service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thank you so much for your service Mr. Huffman. America could not survive without people like you. :notworthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Attaboy, Top. Thanks for your service, and God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC9 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Congrats ZoEd. I can't wait til my dad comes... I've come a long way and I have a long way to go still... Which means that I KNOW you have obviously walked the hard line. I commend and thank you for your service! Enjoy the time you get to spend at home and once you are official, don't feel bad about letting the PT slide a bit.... I know I won't, lol! ---------- Post added March-8th-2012 at 07:59 PM ---------- Attaboy, Top. Thanks for your service, and God bless. BTW... the Air Force is weird... they call the First Sergeants "Shirts" or "First Shirts." Top is an Army term... jk of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Wow, that's going to be a pretty big transition. Thanks for all you have done. Best luck in becoming a cake eating civilian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 BTW... the Air Force is weird... they call the First Sergeants "Shirts" or "First Shirts." Top is an Army term...jk of course! Actually, H_H was referring to the BDSM term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#98QBKiller Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thinking about going to school full time, sopping up that Post 9/11 GI Bill. Take a bit of a break from the chaos. Go for it brother. Sounds like opportunity will be knocking hard. Congrats on starting this new chapter and thanks for your work in the previous chapter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoEd Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks all! Yes, Shirt is an AF term but with the joint service we're doing these days "Top" has found it's way into the AF culture as well. Also, I spent a good bit of my time as a Shirt serving in a tri-service enviroment with Army and Navy, I heard it all the time. Lol Believe me when I tell you that it was my honor to serve, it's hard to put into words the satisfaction I've gotten out of being an Airman. The time away from family sucks! No two ways about it and I can't really say that it was worth it, because being away from them for more than a couple days kills me! However, it's a necessary evil and I'll leave knowing that I have made a difference in the world. Nothing I've done in my career has been motivated by awards or accolades, I've always gotten my motivation from helping others. Using the words of John Maxwell, I've always used my position to add value to others instead of adding value to myself. I've been around the world so many times it's hard to keep count. Desert Storm, Bosnia, Kuwait, Jordan,all over Europe, Iraq and Korea twice. Met a lot of people along the way, lost some very close friends in tragic events and I'll always keep them close to my heart. It's been an amazing journey, I left WV at 18 a closed minded redneck with a narrow view of the world, but I've seen and done things I never could have imagined and it's given me an invaluable perspective on the world. But the most important thing I've learned has to be this, freedom is very precious and I feel here in America we have a tendency to take it for granted because we've never known anything else. Being in Germany when the wall came down, talking to my ex-wifes grandmother who survived Nazi Germany, serving in war torn Bosnia, being in Iraq during the first free elections in 2005 and seeing grown men cry with joy and hugging my neck with their purple staind fingers from voting at the polls. I've delivered food to starving children and school supplies to kids in Iraq who don't even have shoes on their feet. We're very fortunate in America, there's nothing like the freedom we have and more people need to realize just how precious it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madison Redskin Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Congrats Zoed and thanks for all your service! I hope you have a chance to take a vacation or do something for yourself before going to school, starting a new job, or whatever you decide to do. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I'd shake you hand if I could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Congrats ZoEd. Good luck in your future endeavors. Man 22 years is a looong time, damn near almost as long as I've been alive. . I'm sure your family is very proud of you, and will be damn happy to have you around a lot more when the time comes. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Congrats Zoed,you made it. Thanks for the service and for helping make sure the ones following you are prepared. You'll land on your feet in the "outside" world just fine. Start planning for all that quality time you'll get to have with the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Mike Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 22 years is a lot of service. Thank you. May the rest of your life bring you the happiness you deserve. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 My man. Congrats!!! My Dad put in about 30 years or so. He has been teaching ROTC and Military History for the last few years at a very good high school (something to consider). He loves it, but told me that next year will be his last doing that and he wants to truly retire. Reality is that he wants to make his hobby a full-time job. My mom just might kill him if that happens. haha. Flipside if he does simply retire he will drive my mother insane. Thanks man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoEd Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 Talk about butterflies, phew, reality is setting in...especially when you've been doing one job since graduating high school. But, I'm ready as I'll ever be I guess, time to finally put down roots, eliminate the possibility of having to leave my family again and start this next chapter. I pretty much have 6 weeks to find a job, which I'm confident I'll be able to do, but I sure do wish I could have found something prior to now to help get rid of this enormous pit in my stomach. I've never been unemployed! It's kind of a scary feeling. Better than most though, at least I'll have that check coming in every month and medical coverage, even though it's not a lot, it's more than most. I'm truly blessed to have made it to this point in my military career. On a very positive note, since I'm retiring on the MS Gulf Coast and the Skins open the season at the Super Dome, guess where I'll be on September 9th! Hells yes! Now if hell freezes over we'll play in the Super Bowl as well! HA! So, I'll be tipping back some cold brews and reminiscing about the past and celebrating the future next weekend! Mr here I come! Look out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Zoed, Keep your head on the swivel. It is at this point if your life was a movie that you would most likely be shot... esp. if you have any friends who are hot shot mavericks. Seriously, watch your six. They're out to getcha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Thanks for all you've done for our freedom, Mr. Huffman. Your service has truly been extraordinary. Hope you enjoy all the good things you've missed on our behalf, and I'm sure your family will be happy having you around. On the lighter side, that first day you don't have to worry about a perfect uniform is a glorious one. (Tell your dry cleaner you hope you never see them again, and watch their reaction. LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwhich Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 My advice, hire a professional to assist in writing your resume if you haven't already done so. I get a lot of ex military resumes. They are written in a language for and by the military. They need to be written for the civilian job market. Good luck finding your next career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 What kind of work are you looking for? These days, networks are as important as the resume if not more. Perhaps someone in your circle or ES can give an employer a nudge to look in your direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSW Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I retired one year ago. One thing I would stress is to submit your veterans compensation package via the benefits delivery at discharge (BDD) program. It can save up one year in the review process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USS Redskins Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Congrats and thanks! Are you moving to Florida? I hear Del Boca Vista Phase 2 is a wonderful place to retire to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Congrats boss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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